United States President Barak Obama called the US military’s decision to open all combat roles to women as historic step. He said that this change will strengthen the nation’s armed forces. Earlier Defense Secretary Ashton Carter made announcement of opening up the remaining 10 per cent of military positions, including combat roles, to women.
US military has been easing restrictions over the past three years. A ban on women serving in combat roles was lifted in 2013 but the military was given until 2016 to make the case for specific posts they thought should remain closed.
The move will lead to some 220,000 openings to women. More than 280,000 women have already served honourably in Iraq and Afghanistan in de facto combat situations. Mr Carter is to give the armed services 30 days to submit plans to make the change. Nancy Duff Campbell of the National Women’s Law Center said it was a thrilling day for women serving in the military, and for women across the country.